But after all, is it safe to travel by plane during the pandemic?
With the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have doubts about the safety of certain establishments, including airports.
To clarify, as with everything related to the new coronavirus, planning a trip during this period requires a little more care.
But calm down! To simplify your planning, we at Tarobá Hotel We have listed some points that you should consider before booking your flight!
CLEANING PROCEDURES FOR EACH COMPANY
To avoid contagion, airlines have doubled their cleaning procedures. From products to cleaning frequency, everything needs to be as meticulous as possible from start to finish.
Cleaning procedures are divided into 3 types: cleaning, disinfection and decontamination. When defining which procedure will be used, the following are taken into account: the phase of the flight, the duration of the flight and even the type of dirt and surface.
1 – CLEANING
This is the most basic and most frequent procedure.
It consists of removing the rubbish, cleaning the surfaces with detergent and water and then drying everything with a dry cloth.
Cleaning surfaces such as mirrors, tables and armrests, locks and switches is generally done at each flight stop.
2 – DISINFECTION
This phase comes after cleaning. Apply the appropriate product to surfaces most likely to be contagious and wait for it to take effect. Finally, you need to dry the surface with a dry, clean cloth.
Products such as hydrogen peroxide, quaternary ammonium, phenolic compounds, etc. are recommended for disinfection. In most cases, the time for inactivation of microorganisms is 5 to 10 minutes.
3 – DECONTAMINATION
This procedure is used in cases of contamination by blood, vomit, urine, other body fluids and even biological agents. It is the most meticulous of all those mentioned so far.
An overnight stay (or as necessary) is carried out in the bathrooms and/or areas of the plane where fluids have spread.
Also check the use of the electrostatic sprayer, that equipment that looks like a water gun and that sprays a “mist” of disinfectant chemicals.
This equipment, in addition to better spreading the disinfectant on surfaces, also ensures that the products enter the air conditioning systems, guaranteeing more efficient cleaning!
BE CAREFUL WHEN BUYING A TICKET
Even when purchasing tickets, you should take some points into consideration.
“But how is there any danger in buying tickets if I do it online?”
Not that there is a risk of contracting the virus at the time of purchase, but it is important to find out about your destination.
If you are traveling by plane during the pandemic, before booking your flight, research the number of infected people and the municipality's prevention policies.
This way, you avoid traveling to a place where contagion is still high and, if you are going to board, you already disembark knowing what protocols you must follow at that destination to avoid the virus.
also schedule your accommodation in advance! It is also important to research the place where you and your family will spend your stay.
DOUBLE PERSONAL HYGIENE AT THE AIRPORT
Airports are following virus prevention rules, but passenger collaboration is more than necessary.
After all, the air is not renewed as often due to the air conditioning of the environment.
It is worth noting that the use of a mask must be constant, both by passengers and employees.
1. Make it yours online check-in (via the airline app or online). If it is really necessary to do the check-in conventionally, maintain distance and use alcohol gel before and after contact with the attendant;
2. For those who travel by plane frequently, it is common to take a break for a coffee, a snack or even buy a souvenir for a loved one. The recommendation is to avoid crowds in these establishments and that payment is preferably with credit/debit cards or your smartphone.
3. When boarding, respect the distance advised by the airport and avoid queues (it is recommended to arrive even further in advance to avoid them).
Also take into account the standard recommendations for preventing COVID-19:
- When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose;
- Wash your hands well with soap and water;
- Carry an alcohol gel with you to clean your hands and objects such as cell phones and keys;
- Avoid touching surfaces such as handrails, door handles and switches;
- Maintain a minimum distance of 1,5m.
TRAVELING BY PLANE IN THE PANDEMIC: PREVENTION
Many people have thought twice before traveling by plane during the pandemic,
flights with few seats purchased are generally canceled and passengers relocated to another time. This happens because flights with few passengers are not very profitable.
During boarding and disembarking, it is possible to strictly follow the protocols, however, social distancing is not very applicable inside the planes. Therefore, care must be even greater.
— Buy a really effective mask
Fabric and decorated masks have their charm and may even be effective, always depending on the size of the crowd, time spent indoors and other variants.
However, in the case of air travel (where we have already said that distancing is generally not applicable), better protection is recommended.
Choose masks from model N95, which has the most complete seal and a hospital-standard filter.
— Also include a face shield
It guarantees greater protection, as it prevents any fluid emitted by other passengers from coming into contact with your mucous membranes (including your eyes, which are not protected by the mask).
You will later have to pass it through an x-ray, so remember to clean the equipment with alcohol gel as soon as you pick it up again.
— Clean your hands frequently with alcohol gel
Even if you don't touch any surface other than your own seat (such as tables and arm rests), keep your hands disinfected because the virus also circulates in the air.
In conclusion, as a last preventative measure, pay attention to the symptoms! If you experience any of them, consider postponing your trip.
This way you can take care of both yourself, staying at home and monitoring any more serious symptoms, and public health, not coming into contact with other people and avoiding transmission.
If you are in doubt about the passenger's rights and duties, consult the Infraero Passenger Guide and, if the question is about flight cancellations and rescheduling, contact the airline.
Now you know what precautions to take when traveling by plane during the pandemic, so buy your ticket to Foz do Iguacu and book your accommodation with us!
If you need a little help choosing the best travel package for the Land of Falls, click here and check out our accommodation options!
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